Aung San Suu Kyi

Statement on Aung San Suu Kyi
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo
August 11, 2009

The following is a transcript of comments made by Secretary Clinton regarding Aung San Suu Kyi at a press availability with DRC Foreign Minister Alexis Thambwe this afternoon:

"With respect to Aung San Suu Kyi, she should not have been tried and she should not have been convicted. We continue to call for her release from continuing house arrest. We also call for the release of more than 2,000 political prisoners, including the American John Yettaw. We are concerned about the harsh sentence imposed upon him especially in light of his medical condition. The Burmese junta should immediately end its repression of so many in this country, start a dialogue with the oppositon and the ethnic groups. Otherwise the elections they have scheduled for next year will have absolutely no legitimacy."

Why am I posting this? Not withstanding the bravery of this woman against a brutal military dictatorship, this is somewhat distant from our part of the world. However, I read the State Department Press Briefing below and am filled with nothing but disgust. Is there any reason anyone should rely on U.S promises, support, nods, winks. Former U.S. commitments, if not lied about, are meaningless. In the meantime we worry about whether they'll still be our friend, or whether Netanyahu might cause a deterioration in the U.S-Israel relationship.

Philip J. Crowley
Assistant Secretary of State
Daily Press Briefing
Washington, DC
August 11, 2009

MR. CROWLEY: Well, I can report from the deepest depths of Africa that your colleagues on the road are doing well, when I last saw them a couple days ago. But welcome to the Department of State.

Obviously, a significant story today: We are deeply concerned about the convictions on spurious charges of Aung San Suu Kyi and John Yettaw. The Burmese Government’s action today is completely unacceptable. As the Secretary said earlier in the day, Aung San Suu Kyi should never have been tried and never have been convicted. Based on the facts of the case, in essence, she was convicted of being polite. This is a thinly veiled effort by the Burmese Government to keep her on the sidelines for elections next year. As the Secretary said, unless she is released from house arrest, along with more than 2,000 other political prisoners, those elections will have absolutely no legitimacy.

And the seven-year sentence given to John Yettaw is cruel. We remain greatly concerned about his health and the harsh sentence imposed upon him. In addition to releasing Aung San Suu Kyi, John Yettaw, and other political prisoners, Burma needs to embark on a dialogue with all democratic opposition and ethnic minority leaders for a peaceful transition to genuine democracy and national reconciliation.
........
QUESTION: Okay. Can we go back to the Burma trip?

MR. CROWLEY: Sure.

QUESTION: Did you – you mentioned the charges were spurious. Were you referring to the charges on Aung San Suu Kyi and John Yettaw? Do you believe that his charges are spurious as well? He did, in fact, cross a police line.

MR. CROWLEY: We think that seven years of hard labor is excessive.

QUESTION: But the spurious comment, is that only referring to her charges?

MR. CROWLEY: I mean, all of the – this case was politically driven. These are not a reflection of what actually took place.

QUESTION: So the –

QUESTION: Could you – on Burma, is it time now for the U.S. to do something a bit tougher, like what about – France has called for an arms embargo. Is this something that you would look at, maybe in September, when you’re –


MR. CROWLEY: Well, obviously, in light of – we have obviously said to the Burmese Government that as part of our ongoing review of our policy towards Burma, we would take what happens in this case into account. We will clearly do that. I would expect that we’ll have extensive conversations with allies and other regional partners as to what to do in light of this action. But in terms of our ongoing review, clearly, this will have a negative effect.

QUESTION: P.J., just to –

QUESTION: No, go ahead.

QUESTION: You think that Burma’s military dictatorship will make sure that she will die in prison? Because it’s been now almost 20 years, when they went after another, she’s living in her (inaudible). And also, Amnesty International and Campaign for Burma, they’re calling that this is robbing of democracy at daylight and also crimes against humanity. So do anyone really on the international panel or at the UN or U.S. cares for democracy in Burma?

MR. CROWLEY: Of course. That is why we’ve taken the principled stand for these many years while she has been in captivity. You think about the government; they are afraid of a 64-year-old woman who probably weighs barely a hundred pounds. But what she represents is an idea that this is government by the people and on behalf of the people rather than government by the few for the benefit of a few. And clearly, like we have in many other circumstances, there is an opportunity for a different kind of relationship by Burma with not only the United States but also the rest of the international community. And clearly, we feel this is a step in the wrong direction.

QUESTION: And one more. Unless you bring China online or to support for democracy or her or the campaign that you have started --

MR. CROWLEY: Sure. And I would expect that in the coming days we will have conversations with anyone who both has an interest in what is happening in Burma, as well as anyone we think has an influence with Burma, to make clear that what happened today we are very concerned about and feel is unacceptable.

Kirit.

QUESTION: In the past, the Secretary has talked about incentives for Burma, to engage with Burma, possible investments, that kind of thing. Is that now all off the table now that they’ve gone ahead with this?

MR. CROWLEY: Well, let’s not prejudge the review that’s ongoing. Obviously, in our review, this will have a negative impact. But we will broadly consult here in the region, in New York, and I wouldn’t want to prejudge what actions are taken in light of this.

Yes.

QUESTION: Do you have any – change of the subject.

MR. CROWLEY: Or --

QUESTION: Do you have any timeline for the review, when it’s going to end?

MR. CROWLEY: No.

QUESTION: It’s six months now.

MR. CROWLEY: Okay.

Related: The Prescience of Protest
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